Rock Circuit Trail Loop (Mostly) (Middlesex Fells Reservation)
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Distance: 4.68 miles
Elevation: 558 feet
Time: 2 hours, 4 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Middlesex Fells Reservation, 52 Hike Challenge 2025
Hiking Challenges: Middlesex Fells Reservation, 52 Hike Challenge 2025
The Hike
As it is apparently now a springtime tradition, I had a school musical to see in the evening, so I went for a hike to kill some time! The show was Six! Teen Edition at the high school I teach marching band. The hike in question was the Rock Circuit Trail at the Middlesex Fells, one of my favorites! It was a chillier 60 degrees out with a breeze and plentiful sunshine. I suited up, carefully crossed Woodland Road, and I was off!
The hike began on the Cross-Fells Trail/Woodland Path, which featured a wonderufl early spring green tunnel. The trail circled a pond on the left and then I turned onto the Rock Circuit Trail just after, which passed another pond on the right, and later a larger one near E4-4.
I had done this and variations on this loop numerous times, and I really didn't remember this stretch, which made it exciting! I passed a young shagbark hickory (thank you, Seek app) that had some really unique spring leafing/budding, and then the Rock Circuit Trail turned onto a road grade at the Fells Reservoir fence.
I realized I accidentally cut a corner when I turned onto the Melrose Path, which offically turned this into a tracing hike. Some men ran past me in sandals, and I worked my way up to the first open rock slab, which was delightfully warm with many singing birds all around.
Continuing on, I passed a baby garter snake in the leaves and worked my way to the crossing of the Fellsway. I scrambled up the next rocky knob after crossing the road and met some really neat harlequin flowers.
I noticed a large fire ring on the left of trail just before it climbed up White Road, which had a brand new sign! I LOVE the sign, and I noticed Melrose Rock had one just in the distance, too! I also notice that someone's been kissing the white blazes with pink lipstick, which was a choice... I enjoyed the views from White and Melrose Rocks and continued my way over to the top of the Cascade, which was more of a dribble at this point, but still lovely from up high.
It was so nice to have leaves on the trees again. I caught up to a weridly silent duo as I climbed up the next nameless rock, followed by a few more nameless rocks with more harlequin flowers. There was a sign on view-less Black Rock, with many tent catepillars as well. From here until the next Fellsway crossing, the blazing became challenging to follow, and didn't always match up with the map.
I wiggled my way over to Pinnacle Rock, which had a fantastic view and many survey holes. I kind of free-wandered off of Pinnacle, eventually following more white blazes (official-looking ones!) that weren't on the map. These blazes brought me to the communication towers and unmapped Ziggy's Rock, which had an excellent view of Boston and Great Blue Hill.
Eventually, the blazes brought me to Pinnacle Path, and then back onto the mapped stretch of the Rock Circuit Trail, which paralleled the Fellsway before crossing. The blazing and footbed were much easier to follow, now, too, and a kind driver stopped on the Fellsway to let me cross!
The Rock Circuit Trail continued through some wetlands before climbing again, passing some DCR "be kind" signs that I'd never seen before. The sun felt heavenly on a nameless rock, and I got a great view to Boston again from Boojum Rock. The new sign for Boojum was placed in a spot that had Boston directly behind the sign, which was a great touch.
From Boojum, I continued onto the MIT Observatory and then followed the Rock Circuit Trail almost all the way back to the Cross-Fells Trail, but I took a path I hadn't hiked before to cut a corner and get back to the car. I easily crossed Woodland Road, and made my way to Panera for some dinner before the show (the show was fantastic!).
Step-by-Step
- Park at Flynn Rink.
- Cross Woodland Road.
- Begin hike on Cross-Fells Trail/Woodland Path.
- At E4-8, turn left onto white-blazed Rock Circuit Loop.
- At F4-6, accidentally turn right onto Melrose Path.
- At F4-2, turn right back onto Rock Circuit Trail.
- After Pinnacle Rock, continue to follow white blazes to unmapped Ziggy's Rock, Pinnacle Path, and rejoin mapped section at F5-11.
- At F5-11, turn left onto Rock Circuit Trail.
- At E4-18, turn continue right onto path.
- At E4-7, turn left onto Cross-Fells Trail/Woodland Path.
- Cross Woodland Road, return to car.
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